Marcello Trotta's penalty put the Bees ahead before Tony Craig was sent off for violent conduct in the area.

Tony McMahon hit the bar from the resulting spot-kick but the Blades went in front through Barry Robson's penalty and Dave Kitson's header.

Sam Saunders then had a penalty saved and home defender Harry Maguire and Clayton Donaldson were shown red before Bradley Wright-Phillips equalised.

The two teams, sitting fifth and third before kick-off, entered the game knowing that a win would be key to their chances of gaining automatic promotion from League One.

In a scrappy opening it was the hosts who had the better of the chances with Brentford keeper Simon Moore saving well from Kevin McDonald and Michael Doyle in quick succession.

Uwe Rosler's side went ahead when Donaldson raced away from the Blades defence and poked beyond George Long before being taken out by the teenager and Fulham loanee Trotta confidently hammered the resultant penalty down the middle.

The hosts pressed for an equaliser before the interval but McDonald volleyed over and a contentious first half, eight bookings giving an indication of what was to follow, ended with the Bees in front.

Visiting skipper Craig saw red early in the second half for an off-the-ball altercation with Kitson in the area but the Blades were unable to make the most of the situation, with McMahon hitting the bar with his spot-kick.

They did not have to wait long for another opportunity to level the scores however, Lee Hodson penalised for handball and this time Robson stepped up to smash his penalty in off the woodwork.

Kitson headed the hosts ahead from Jamie Murphy's centre before Maguire saw red for the Blades for fouling Donaldson in the area.

Long got down brilliantly to keep out Saunders' spot-kick and minutes later Donaldson, booked in the first half for diving, was following Craig and Maguire down the tunnel for a second yellow.

Just when it looked like the Blades would hold out to secure successive wins under caretaker boss Chris Morgan, Brentford sub Wright-Phillips sprinted beyond the tired home defence to coolly slot home.

The draw leaves Brentford one point behind second-placed Bournemouth while Sheffield United, who have a game in hand on the rest of the top six, are four points further back.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

"A lot of bookings, three sending offs, four penalties and I don't even think it was a dirty game.

"It's hard to take, because we get our noses in front after being 1-0 down, were 2-1 up and they're down to nine men. You'd expect us to see it out, but the unity and team spirit to get back in the game is the most pleasing thing."

Goal! - Bradley Wright-Phillips - Sheff Utd 2 - 2 Brentford Bradley Wright-Phillips finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Sheff Utd 2-2 Brentford.

87:36

Bradley Wright-Phillips takes a shot. Danny Higginbotham gets a block in. Corner taken by Sam Saunders from the left by-line, Close range header by Harlee Dean misses to the right of the target.

86:54

Jamie Murphy is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Simon Moore restarts play with the free kick.

83:30

Barry Robson produces a cross, blocked by Shaleum Logan. Corner taken short by Jamie Murphy.

81:53

Jonathan Forte concedes a free kick for a foul on Jake Reeves. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Sam Saunders, clearance by Kevin McDonald.

Chris Porter delivers the ball, blocked by Jake Reeves. Outswinging corner taken by Tony McMahon from the right by-line, Harlee Dean manages to make a clearance. Effort on goal by Ryan Flynn from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

40:46

Michael Doyle is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Jake Reeves from the free kick, save by George Long.

39:48

Corner taken by Tony McMahon, Dave Kitson has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

38:55

Corner taken by Tony McMahon from the left by-line, Simon Moore makes a save.

37:49

Matthew Hill takes the indirect free kick.

37:49 Booking

Booking Michael Doyle is shown a yellow card for dissent.

37:38

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Matthew Hill by Lee Hodson.

36:19

Inswinging corner taken by Jake Reeves, Marcello Trotta takes a shot. Save by George Long.

34:05

Matthew Hill concedes a free kick for a foul on Lee Hodson. Free kick taken by Jake Reeves. Corner taken by Jake Reeves, Chris Porter manages to make a clearance.

Effort on goal by Michael Doyle from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.

19:08

Clayton Donaldson takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

18:26

The assistant referee signals for offside against Chris Porter. Free kick taken by Simon Moore.

17:55

Jamie Murphy crosses the ball, clearance by Harlee Dean.

15:36

Corner taken by Tony McMahon from the left by-line, clearance made by Jake Reeves. Volleyed left-footed shot by Michael Doyle. Save made by Simon Moore. Corner from the left by-line taken by Tony McMahon, clearance made by Tony Craig.

Corner taken right-footed by Jake Reeves, Lee Hodson takes a shot. Kevin McDonald gets a block in. Short corner taken by Jake Reeves from the right by-line. Foul by Marcello Trotta on Neill Collins, free kick awarded. George Long takes the free kick.

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